Veteran batsman, Shikhar Dhawan was named on the BCCI’s annual player contract list for the 2022-23 season (October 2022-September 2023) on Sunday, March 26. The 37-year-old earned a Grade C status and is set to receive a remuneration of ₹1 crore for his services. This news comes shortly after Dhawan affirmed that he still wishes to return to the Indian national cricket team. Speaking in an interview with Aaj Tak, Dhawan said:
“There’s always a possibility, anything can happen. If I can get dropped after one or two series, I can also get back to the fold. As long as I am in this field, I will give my 100 percent. I am a very process-oriented person. Staying fit, training, working on my skills, and mental health. So, I will continue to work on them. If any opportunity arises, I should be ready to grasp it. I will always be ready.”
Dhawan, the second-highest run-scorer for Team India in 2022 ODIs after Shreyas Iyer, had a dismal run in his last nine matches, scoring only 146 runs at an average of 16.2. He hasn’t been seen in national colors since December last year. However, he will be seen taking charge at Punjab Kings in the upcoming season of the IPL, where he has been the second-highest run-scorer till date.
Fans shared reactions to Dhawan’s inclusion in the annual contract list.
Shikhar dhawan funny
BCCI’s annual contract list for the season 2022-23
Grade A+ (₹7 crores): Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah.
Grade A (₹5 crores): Hardik Pandya, Mohammed Shami, Rishabh Pant, R Ashwin, Axar Patel.
Grade B (₹3 crores): Shreyas Iyer, Mohammed Siraj, Cheteshwar Pujara, KL Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav, Shubman Gill
Grade C (₹1 crore): Shikhar Dhawan, Umesh Yadav, Shardul Thakur, Ishan Kishan, Deepak Hooda, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, Sanju Samson, KS Bharat.